Government has said from September ration card will not be accepted as an identity proof for getting a new mobile phone connection in Maharashtra.

This has been communicated to the mobile operators by the Department of Telecom.

"It has been decided that ration card will not be accepted as a proof of identity/proof of address at the time of acquisition of subscribers from September 1, 2010 in Maharashtra and Mumbai service area," DoT said.

Recently, the Maharashtra government has said a ration card should not be considered as proof of address or residence.

Ration card is issued exclusively for obtaining essential commodities from shops under the public distribution system.

It was accepted as address proof by the telecom firms for issuing mobile connections.

However, as of now it is only limited to Maharashtra and Mumbai service area only.